......the mention of the correct pronunciation of "van Gogh" has raised a
long-time question for me. In college many of my professors insisted we use
correct pronunciation (as pronounced in the artists’ homeland). As an art
educator I feel compelled to do this, however, I am often reluctant due
tothe usual response from others. It irritates me that they feel the need
to
correct me… which means I take a stand and explain that it is the correct
pronunciation in his/her homeland…which in turn usually triggers the reply
that we are in America and speak American, blah, blah, blah…the debate goes
on. By this time, I not only have forgotten what I was saying, but am not
in the mood to continue the conversation. How do the rest of you here in
the USA pronounce names?...as most Americans have learned to do so, or by
the artists’ native tongue? And how about those of you in other countries?
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Hi, Glenda from Rockingham, NC

I got a kick out of your question...especially after reading where you are
from! Probably your BIGGEST problem is the North Carolina twang.
Now...don't get offended...I graduated from UNCG and lived in Garner,
Raleigh, Winston-Salem, Charlotte, and Banner Elk, NC during my "tarheel"
lifetime. I've been in California the past 20 odd yrs. and I REALLY notice
the twang when I go back home. The name VAN GOGH sounds way different here
than in NC....believe me!

If it were me, I'd just go with the flow and drop the debate. Unless the
battle is really important to you, why hassle with it? I'd probably drop
the extra information into the kids' brainmasses, though. As long as they
know who the man was, what he did, and appreciate his style, that's the
important thing, right?